The Diaries of Three Baker Girls

1878 to 1882

Charity (“Chatty”), Charlotte (“Totty”) and Emily Baker

BAK00510

The Bakers Home Page Return to the Home Page of the Bakers Family part of the website

The Bakers of Highfields Story The Story of the Dods and Bakers and of Highfields, Fenton House and Hasfield Court. A journey through the history of Cheshire and Staffordshire, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman who retained his lands after the Conquest, pottery at Stoke on Trent, an encounter with Elgar, and the history of an Elizabethan manor house at Audlem

The Bakers of Highfields The family tree of the Bakers of Highfields

The Dod Family The Family Tree of the Dods, predecessors to the Bakers of Highfields

The Bakers of Fenton House and Hasfield Court The Family Tree of the pottery Bakers of Stoke on Trent

The Bellyse Family The Family Tree of the Bellyse Family

The Farndale Story The main part of this website tells the story of the Farndale family from Yorkshire Descendants of Arthur Baker, the story of the Farndale ancestry is told through the main part of this website You can also return to the Farndale website home page

The Hall Family The genealogy of the family of James Hall, linked to the Baker family through marriage to Arthur Baker

Summaries of the diaries

Three children's Diaries, written by the younger daughters, Charity, 15, and Charlotte, 12, and Emily, 10, exist. From them one can see how very different were the lives of the boys from those of the girls. The former were usually playing cricket, skating at Adderley and, very regularly, “Jack has been out hunting”. We also hear “Tuesday February 18th 1879 Jack has gone to the Waterloo coursing with Mr Boote, of Corbrook, he is coming back tomorrow night; we used to keep some greyhounds, but they were all sold except one, and that died not long ago.” In comparison the girls led very quiet and sheltered life; one reads; “Jack has returned from Shrewsbury. There really does not seem anything to be put, for day after day passes with scarcely any change, but yet I think that is wrong, for if I have nothing else, I ought to write my thoughts.” and a few days earlier “I am going to try and turn over a new leaf and right to my diary, and learn my verse out of my strict scripture textbook more regularly, for I forget them very, very often, when I am sure it is God's will that I should learn my verse.” Later we read; “I did not write yesterday. I do feel so miserable, for Miss Evans is vexed with me, and I do try to be as good to be good but I cannot, and I think that she thinks I don't try to be good, but oh! I do, and I pray too, but I feel as though it is all of no use, and the more I hear of good children, the more I long to be one.” Miss Evans was their governess, whose writing can sometimes be seen correcting spelling mistakes. One suspect that the sentiment's expressed were made more for her eyes than from any great piety! (Baker, J Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem: Sixteenth Century Home of the Dod and Baker Families, Audlem District History Society, page 28).

In the middle years of the century most of the rural villages in the area relied almost wholly on agriculture for their livelihoods and yet farming was becoming less profitable. The depression worsened from 1875 onwards and reached its peak in about 1878. Several diaries that have survived give some ideas of how families lived during these fifty years.

For an Audlem history the diaries of the three Baker girls: Emily Baker (1868-1941)(BAK00158), Charlotte Baker (1866-1918)(BAK00157) and Charity Baker (1862-1881)(BAK00156), who were all brought up at Highfields, are of particular interest. They cover the period from 1878 to 1882 and were probably instigated by their much-loved governess, Miss Evans.

All went to church regularly, “except when it was rainy”, and all read books eagerly, many of a religious nature. Charlotte, aged 12, in particular, wrote down her “thoughts”. In 1878, she decided to “try to turn over a new leaf and read my scripture more regularly”. She worried constantly “about God's will” and “wished they had family prayers at home”. “If God allows me to grow up and have a family, I think I shall have prayers”. She thought “a lot about Martin Luther and his domestic life, and that he must have been a very good husband.” The next year following the early death of Princess Alice, she commented: “I think it shows us that we ought always to be prepared for death, for it may come so suddenly upon us; Oh! how I wish that I was.” However, by this time she no longer had doubts “that she would go to heaven”. All this sounds rather morbid, but in those days, death was ever present. She was then only thirteen years old. Her father had died three years earlier, and her mother was to die in 1881. Diptheria, and less serious ailments, were more commonplace than they are today, and Highfields was regularly visited by Doctor Jay, later Doctor Newman. Remedies included mustard poultices for coughs and colds; also lozenges and cod liver oil. For hoarseness, throats were rubbed with belladonna.

Nevertheless, their lives were generally carefree, and their activities were probably the same as those of other young teenagers of the day. They had lessons at home, with many long holidays. They spent much of their time gathering flowers and mushrooms, doing crochet work and sewing and pressing wildflowers. In 1878 they bought a new piano which was much used for accompanying singing and musical evenings. They also had a pet lamb called to Jerry, which all the girls wrote about. There was much delight when 10-year older Emily received a Valentine in 1878, which probably led to her entry for 7 January 1879. “Little Georgie sent me half a sheet of kisses, so I wrote to him today”. Curiously, none of the Diaries mentioned Christmas festivities, although all record the sending of cards for New Year's Day.

The girls’ three brothers, Jack (1850 to 1932), Dick (1856 to 1902) and Arthur (1858 to 1916), were older and would have been in their 20s when the diaries were written. From the entries it is clear that they lived outdoor lives and enjoyed the traditional country sports. There are many references to their days spent hunting and shooting. July visits to the races at Market Drayton, cricket in the summer and skating in the winter, usually at Adderley and Shevington. For them, oyster suppers seemed to have been popular.

(Latham, Frank (1997), Audlem: The History of a Cheshire Parish and its seventeen townships, pages 45 to 47).

The Diaries of Charity (“Chatty”) Baker and Charlotte (“Totty”) Baker

Since they cover the same period the diaries are merged with Chatty Baker’s diary in blue and Totty Baker’s diary in green. I have not yet seen the diary of the younger Emily Baker.

The first page of Chatty Baker’s diary The first page of Totty Baker’s diary

Charity (“Chatty”) Baker, (4 November 1862 to March 1881)

Charlotte (“Totty”) Louisa Baker (1866 to 1918)

Chatty Baker’s diary began on 12 February 1878, when Chatty was aged 15.

Odd moments are the gold dust of life

The girls’ father, William Baker the Younger had died three years earlier on 19 May 1876. Since then, under the pressure of the Agricultural Depression, Highfields was in the process of being sold. Henrietta Louisa Baker, known as Poppie was the eldest sibling of this generation, born in 1849, so aged 29 by this time and their brother John Bellyse Baker, known as Jack was born in 1850, and aged 28. Two other sisters Mary and Jane Baker, had died at the ages of 8 and 12 by this time. Then came two brothers, Richard Dod Baker, known as Dick born in 1856, so aged 22 by this time and Arthur Baker, known as Attie born in 1860, and aged 18.

Then came the three younger sisters, the authors of these diaries, Charity Baker, known as Chatty, born on 4 November 1862, so aged 15 when the diaries started; Charlotte Louisa Baker, known as Tottie, born in 1866, so aged 12; and the young Emily Jane Baker, born in 1868, and still aged only 10.

1878

February 1878

Tues 12th. Learnt that Jupiter is so very large that in comparison with the earth it is as much larger as an orange is to a pea.

Wed 13th. Mr. Dutton was here this morning. Dick had such a bad cold he could not go to the office.

Thurs 14th. Poppy has gone to Drayton to stay, but I hope she will not stay long, for it is very quiet even when they are all here.

Fri 15th. Mamma gave Lotty and Emily half a holiday, and Lizzy came and read to me all the afternoon, one of the Sundays at Home.

Sat 16. I saw the first primroses, and they looked so pretty arranged amongst ivy and moss.

Thurs 21st. I got up for the first time. I have been in bed since Sunday so I have not written in my diary.

Fri 22nd. Did some knitting. Mamma has been very poorly, but she is better.

Tues 26th. Aunt Sarah will think me very negligent. I have forgotten to write in my diary for three days. There has been a concert at Adderley and all except Mamma and we three children have gone to it.

Wed 27th. Heard that when Australia was mostly inhabited with aborigine people every youth when young had his two front teeth knocked out with a stone to show that he had been taught warlike exercises.

Thurs 28th. Dusty, an old favourite dog died, and Jack has been beagle hunting.

March 1878

Sat 2nd. Miss Evans went to Nantwich to stay till Monday and Mr. Smith has been here. I had two mustard plasters on last evening so I did not write in my diary.

Sun 3rd. Cousin Charley and two of his friends have been here. Dick has been able to go twice to church after his bad cold.

Mon 4th. Polly and Emily went to Mrs. Hill’s for some apples. Jack returned from an oyster supper at Uncle Beaumont’s.

Tue 5th. Uncle Henry has sent me some grapes for my cough. I hope they will do some good.

Wed 7th. I had to go to bed yesterday afternoon so I could not write in my diary. Mr. Ash has sent me some sweet food & bread, very kind of him.

Thurs 8th. I have seen Hettie’s puppet, it is not very pretty but it is a merry little thing. Jack is gone to Mr. Hurvey’s tonight.

Fri 9th. Mrs. Thos. came here, she brought me some jelly. Arthur has gone to Drayton.

Sun 10th. A little lamb came here. Jack does not know to whom it belongs, it is a pretty little thing.

Mon 11th. Emily has not been very well to day, she is rather hoarse and has had her throat rubbed with belladonna.

Tues 12th. Kitty has been out of door for the first time since her cough. Jack has been furbishing.

Wed 13th. I think Uncle Henry’s lozenges have done me good, should have been out to day but it was not warm enough.

Thurs 21st. I have not been able to write in my diary for a week as I have not been very well, been out for the first time since Christmas.

Jan 22nd. It is sheep shearing forth day. I hope we shall spend a happy day, it has been singing.

Jan 23rd. Jack has gone to see Aunt Sarah, Cousin Jim and a crowd went there but did not stay long.

Jan 24th. It has been a very dull day, has been snowing most of the day so I have not been able to go out.

Jan 25th. None of us been able to go out, has been so cold. Jack has not returned yet.

Jan 29th. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday Aunt Jane and cousin Maggie have been here, been out twice.

Thurs 28. I do not think it has stopped snowing all day, none of us been out.

Jan 29th. Totty has begun some tatting. Heard that Lord Derby re‑signed last night, because war is declared against Russia.

Jan 31st. Forgot to write in my diary yesterday until it was too late. Jack went to see Uncle Joe. Miss Evans, Poppy, and Dick have gone to church.

April 1878

Mon 1st. Mrs. Ashe and Miss Kate have begun to read ‘Marmion.’ I think it will be interesting

Tues 2nd. The wind has been so cold none of us been out. * has a new piano‑forte.

Wed. 3rd. Jack and Mr. Sydney have gone to Tarporley steeple chase, it has not been a fine day.

Thurs 4th. Aunt Jane sent me a new dress. It was very kind of her, been out a great part of the day.

Fri 5th. It has not been very warm, we have not been out very much. Poppy and Miss Evans have been to Audlem.

Sat 6th. Aunt Mary and Uncle Beaumont been here. Miss Evans and Dick have helped so went to Adderley Church, Uncle Joe been here.

Mon 8th. Dick sent for some flower seeds, they have come this morning. Mamma been to Audlem.

Tues 9th. Poppy and Miss Evans walked to Drayton. Aunt Hannah is perhaps coming tomorrow.

Sun 14th. Totty and Emily have been out most of the day. Miss Evans has been playing hymns. I have not been able to write in my diary since Tuesday.

Tues 16th. I wrote to Uncle Henry last night, so it was too late to write in my diary, it has been too wet for us to go out.

Wed 17th. I heard that Mr. Fred Hargreaves is going to Australia soon. Poppy and Miss Evans have gone to church.

Thurs 18th. I have been out, it was so very warm. Miss Evans and Poppy have been to Adderley.

Fri 19th. Miss Smith and Sydney have been here, it is Good Friday. I am going to try to lead a better life for the future.

Sun 21st. Cousin Charley and cousin Harry have been here. I forgot to write in my diary till it was too late yesterday.

Tues 23rd. Jack, Dick, and Alf have been to the Drayton race. It has been very wet. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday.

Wed 24^th. I have been on Jack’s horse today. Mamma has gone to Audlem.

Thurs 25th. Mamma is gone to Hankelow. Miss Evans has been practising this evening.

Fri 26^th. Poppy has gone to Hankelow. I have been out most of the day, we have been swinging.

Mon 29th Mr. Ashe has been, it has not been very warm so I have not been out much. Saturday and Sunday do write in my diary.

Tues 30^th. It is Aunt Mary’s birthday. Mamma thinks she will come tomorrow. It rained this morning.

May 1878

Wed 1^st. Aunt Jane has been here. Poppy, Miss Evans, Lotty, Emily have been to Swanbach to see about some cowslips for Aunt Mary.

The Diary of Totty Baker began on 2 May 1878, when Totty was aged 12.

I am going to try and turn over a new leaf, write in my diary, learn my verse out of my Scripture Text book more regularly, as I forget them very, very often, and I am sure it is God’s will that I should learn my verse.

Tue 2nd. Poppy and Chatty have been to Audlem, they stayed dinner at Aunt Jane. Jack has gone to Shrewsbury.

Tue 2^nd. Aunt Jane and Aunt Mary have been. I am reading Marmion. I think it very interesting. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday.

Wed 3rd. Mamma and Dick have been gathering currants. Jack has returned from Shrewsbury. There really does not seem anything to put for day after day passes with scarcely any change of things. I think that is wrong, for if I have nothing else I ought to write my thoughts.

Thu 4^th. Miss Smith has been but did not stay long and Miss Evans has been to Nantwich.

Thur 4th. Poppy, Jack, and Dick have gone to the vicarage. What a beautiful verse this is of the 4^th of *. I was reading it today, and I thought how good God is for making it such a happy hour. Oh, I do truly hope that I shall reach it “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. I think now I have written it, I shall remember it.

Fri 5^th. I have begun to read a book called Stepping Heavenward, and I like it very much.

Fri 5th. Mamma has gone to Audlem. Uncle Joe has been here this morning and has been watching us play eight. I am going now to help Dick put up the folds. The bells have been ringing at Audlem and Adderley. We have not been out, as it has been so wet.

Mon 7th Cousin Monty is here it has been raining nearly all day we have not been out.

Tues 8th. Mamma has been to Audlem to see Aunt Charlotte. I have been out it is very warm.

Wed 8th. Cousin Monty went away it has scarcely stopped raining all day.

Thurs 9th. I wrote to Uncle Henry, not been out, the workmen have been cutting down trees.

Sat. 11th. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday, little Emily has dressed a doll. I have finished reading Stepping Heavenward. I like it very much.

Mon 13th. I have not been out, Mrs. Ash has been, Jack has been rook shooting. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday.

Tues 14th. Mamma went to see Aunt Mary. I shall be glad when she returns, our pet lamb has been ill but it is better again.

Wed 15th. Papa has gone to see Miss Smith. Miss Evans has been playing, my garden seeds are coming up.

Thurs 16th. I have been out, Jack has gone to Drayton to pay the rent for the farm.

Fri 17th. Mamma is coming home tomorrow. I am very glad, we have gathered some ferns.

Sun 19th. I have made a Bible Clock today it has been so wet none of us went to church this morning.

Mon 20^th. I am trying to get up a piece of music for cousin Fanny. She is coming next week. Mr. Harper is coming to tune the piano tomorrow. It is off of grand. Miss Evans have gone to Audlem. Aunt Mary and Uncle Beaumont are coming tonight.

Tues 23^rd. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday. Dr. Jay has been today. Totty is playing her little tunes.

Fri 24^th. It has rained nearly all day. I think there will be a bad harvest if it rains much more.

Sat 25th. Jack has gone to play cricket at Audlem. Mr. Woodcock has brought us several geraniums to plant. We have been out for a little while, but it began to rain.

Mon 27^th. I forgot to write in my diary for two days. Cousin Harry and Cousin Fanny are coming tomorrow.

Mon 27th. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday. Jack, Arthur, Uncle Joe, and Mr. James Greaves have been out shooting at Adderley. It has been very wet, and there was a little thunder this afternoon. Mrs. and the Misses Ashe, Miss Holice, Miss Eliza, and Mrs. Jac have been here.

Wed 29^th. Aunt Sarah has been here. She thinks our piano is a good one. I forgot to write yesterday it was the day our cousins came.

Wed 29th. I forgot to write in my diary yesterday. Cousins Harry and Fanny came yesterday, and Poppy had gone with them to Hawkstone today. Aunt Sarah and Cousin Edith drove here this afternoon.

Thurs 30^th. Miss Evans and Poppy have gone to Aunt Fanny’s for tea.

Thurs 30th. Every one except Mamma, Chatty & Emily and I have gone to Aunt Sarah’s to tea. It has been a beautiful day & we went out.

Fri 31st . I think we shall have summer soon now it has been lovely today. There was a tea party at Horton today June.

Fri 31st. Mamma, Cousin Harry & Fanny are gone to Aunt Sarah’s. Jack, Dick & Mr. Sydney are gone to a tea-party at Norton.

June 1878

Mon 3rd. I have forgotten to write in my diary for two days. Cousin Harry & Fanny have gone home we went with them to the station. Mamma has been down to Audlem.

Wed 5th. Forgot to write in my diary yesterday. It has been a fine day, we have been out.

Fri 7^th. Mamma has gone to Audlem. I think we are going to see Aunt Sarah soon.

Fri 7th. Forgot to write in my diary yesterday. Mamma has gone to Audlem.

Thurs 13th. Little Emily has been poorly but she is much better. Miss Evans is playing and it makes we three children very merry. I have forgotten to write very lately.

Thurs 13th. I have forgotten to write in my diary for two days. Jiffy, Jack, Dick have gone to Audlem. Cousin Amy has been here.

Fri 14th. I have been to Audlem, it has been very nice. I have not had lessons this 4 months.

Fri 14th. Mamma, Chatty & Emily have been to Audlem. It is the first time Chatty has been so far since her illness.

Sun 16th. I wish I were older so that people would think that I felt sorry for them when they are unhappy. I forgot to write yesterday.

Sun 16th. Forgot to write in my diary yesterday. I went to church this morning and Mamma has been this evening.

Mon 17th. Miss Evans and Lizzy have gone to see Miss Smith. Lizzy I think will soon begin her holidays.

Mon 17th. Poppy and Miss Evans have gone to Kinsale, and they have not come back yet.

Tues 18th. I mean to try and work harder at my lessons when I begin again, to try and please Miss Evans for I do not like to make her angry with me.

Wed 19th. It has been a very nice day. I think we are really going to have some summer at last. Miss Evans has been very today but I think that if I had no home like her I should hardly ever be merry.

Wed 19th. Forgot to write in my diary yesterday. It has been a beautiful day & I have been out.

Thur. 20th. Mamma has gone to Hankelow and perhaps Miss Evans and Lizzy are going to see Aunt Mary next Sunday. I wish there were more life here it is very quiet.

Thurs 20th. Mamma has gone to Hankelow. Jack has gone to Audlem tonight. Dick has not come back yet.

Fri 21st. Mrs Woodcock has brought us some very pretty flowers. It is very kind of her, and she is going to bring Miss Evans a plant.

Fri 21st. Poppy has gone to Hankelow and Jack has gone to meet her. Mrs. Vigours & Agnes have been here this evening, and we have been swinging Agnes.

Sun 23^rd. I have not been to church since Christmas the time seems very long. I offered Miss Evans a hymn book but she would not take it, out of the kindness of her heart, for I am sure she would not be unkind if she could help it in the least. I forgot to write yesterday.

Sun 23rd. Forgot to write yesterday. Mamma has been to Audlem. She went in the afternoon. I went to church this morning.

Mon 24^th. Mamma has been to see Aunt Sarah Etches. I have begun to press some flowers and, when I have enough I am going to paste them on some card board. They keep their colour beautiful and then we have them during winter to remind us of God’s goodness in making such beautiful things.

Wed 26th. I forgot to write yesterday. We are going to Stapely tomorrow and Miss Evans is going from there for her holidays, but I shall be very glad when she returns. The time seems so long and it always seems as if I had lost one of my sisters. I am writing this because I really think it and not for Miss Evans to see it.

Wed 26th. I have forgotten to write for two days. We have begun our holidays today. We have been playing croquet.

Fri 28^th. We went to Stapley yesterday and Miss Evans went to Chester. It is almost too warm now to be out. I am pressing some flowers there are dog roses, twister cups and ferns. I hope they will keep their colour. We are going to have five weeks holidays.

July 1878

Mon 1st. I went to church yesterday for the first time since Christmas. I have had a letter from Miss Evans to- day. I was very pleased. Our poor little pet lamb is lame. Uncle Joe has been tonight. Little Emily has been poorly since I wrote last but she is all right now. I wrote to Miss Evans to-day. I like writing to her because I know she is pleased to hear from us. I only used to write once to her during the holidays but now I write three or four times to her. My flowers look very nice.

Mon 1st. I have forgotten to write for four days. I have been with Attie and Emily to Hawksmoor this week. Dick has gone to Kinsale. Mrs. Evans went for her holidays on Friday. Thursday the day that we went to Stapley.

Sat 6th. Poppy, Emily, and I have been to Mrs Mac Cafies to take back a book which Miss Bessie lent me. I have kept it such a very long while. She had lent me another, and I am going to try how quickly I can read it. We are going to have dinner soon. I shall be very sorry for I like them very much. I think they are very kind.

Mon 8^th. Mamma and I are going to Hankelow tomorrow for a few days. I have not heard from Miss Evans since I wrote on Friday. I hope there will be a letter tomorrow. I have for- gotten to write in my diary since Friday.

Mon 8th. I did not write yesterday because it was rather late when I came from church. I think little Robbie will have to go for tonight, he fitted us, and we had to get against a tree. I shall be very sorry, for he is a great favourite and he seems really to love us. He went with me to Hawkesmoor this morning.

Tues 9th. Chatty and Mamma have gone to Hankelow. Mrs. Ashe came for them, they were to have gone yesterday. As I was looking into the sky tonight it made me think about dear papa, who is so happy now. I often long oh so much that he were here now, but it is God’s will and I must learn like Christ to say from the bottom of my heart, nevertheless not my will but thine be done, and I must always remember that God has promised to be a Father of the fatherless.

Wed 10th. Mr. Sydney is here, he came this evening. I miss Chatty very much for she is a very good sister to me, and I only wish that I might be a better sister to her. I wish I could pray for Chatty for then I might ask for what ever I want, but I really feel as though I could not, and not though I could get her sure.

Thurs 11th. I wrote to Miss Evans last evening. It was a very long time before I wrote, but I know she will not mind, as somehow she does not seem to think of things in the way which perhaps many over the world, perhaps they might think that I did not wish to write to them. Poppy, Emily and I were thinking of going to Audlem this evening, but was rather wet, and Poppy said perhaps we should go tomorrow morning.

Fri 12^th. We have been to Audlem, we went down with Dick. Mrs. Woodcock has been. She has brought me a bunch of flowers and another scented geranium, what a kind woman she is.

Sat 13^th. Jack has been playing cricket this afternoon. Jack and Dick went to Shropshire yesterday they did not come back till three o’clock in the morning. Mr. Sydney came of age. Emily and I have been with Dick to Audley station this evening to take a parcel to the station.

Sun 14^th. I have not been to church today, it has been too wet, hardly seems like Sunday when one does not go to church. I wish we had family prayers, I think if God allows me to grow up and have a family I think I shall have prayers. I have finished the Schonberg Cotta Family. I have been spending time over it. It says a great deal about Martin Luther and I think from what it says about his domestic life, he must have been a very good husband and father.

Thurs 18^th. I have not written in my diary for some days, it has been bed time when I have come, several things have happened since I last wrote. I have been to Audlem twice, I have seen Chatty, I have heard from her and Emily and I have both written to her. Besides that the little meadow has been mown, and the hay been carried, poor little Emily is ill again, I have been in the way, and I do often wish that she could have been with me, she would do more good herself.

Fri 19^th. Pollie Whittain has been here this evening, and we have been playing croquet. She was here on Tuesday afternoon, and wrote her name in our Scripture Text Book.

Sat 20^th. We have had tea out under the trees for the second time today. It is such beautiful weather now and has been for a long time. How good God is, when we are so.

Tues 23rd. I have not been able to write for a fortnight because I have been staying at Hankelow. I hope Miss Evans will not be away much more than two weeks. Poppy, Totty and Emily have been to tea at Mrs. Mac. ‘Capes’.

Tues 23rd. I have not written in my diary for two days. I hope I am not going back into my old way. I must try not. Poppie, Emily and I have been to the Miss Mac Cape’s to tea.

Thursday. It has been raining all day, so we have not been out, Jack has gone to Crewe, but has not returned yet. The days are beginning to get shorter, it seems to me that each year seems to go quicker than the last one.

Thurs 25^th. I forgot to write yesterday. Poppie and Emily and I went to the tea-party yesterday, and the boys as well. The rain poured through the tent. It has had breezy, showery nearly all day.

Monday 29th. It is Totty’s birthday, we are going to Mrs. Brittain’s tomorrow and to see Mr. Greaveson Friday, but I would far rather stay at home. I must try to get out of that way for Miss Evans says I shall be as quiet and nervous as Poppy is if I do not go out amongst people. I have not written for three days. I think Miss Evans is coming back on Monday.

Mon 29^th. I have not written in my diary for five days. It is my birthday today, how good God is, besides having taken such great care of me for twelve years, I think of no one has ever so much that could be better child. Mr. Corbet preached such a beautiful lesson on that evening his text was ‘He opened eyes if it be not afraid.’ Oh what very comforting words those are. I thought so before but now I think them more so.

Wed 31st. Aunt Charlotte has been here, and Mamma went with her to Kynsal this evening. There is such a beautiful sunset this evening if the warm weather continues. Jack will soon be begun his corn harvest. I should so like to go to the Harvest Thanksgiving this year. I can only remember being there twice.

Wed 31st. Did not write last night for we had been to Mr. Williams and it was bed time when we came home. Poppy and I went down to Audlem this morning and Aunt Charlotte came back with us. It had been such a beautiful day and I think it will be alike tomorrow for there is a mist, how very kind God is and how little we deserve such kindness.

August 1878

Sun 4th. We heard yesterday that Miss Evans is not coming home till Thursday. None of us have been to church this morning it was so wet. I feel quite ready for lessons again. I am so glad I am well again. It was very quiet to be obliged to stay in the same room, but it makes a great deal of difference when everybody is so kind. I have not written since Wednesday.

Sun 4th. I have not written for three days. I have not been to church. Aunt Mary was singing.

Mon 5th. Annie has been today, she is soon going away from home to stay with. She is fifteen. Aunt Mary is coming tomorrow and Uncle Beaumont on Wednesday. They are staying until Thursday.

Mon 5th. Dick, Jack, and Arthur have gone to the cricket. There has been a thunderstorm this evening. Annie has been here and I think she has gone away from home.

Tues 6th. Aunt Mary came yesterday until Thursday. We are going to begin lessons on Friday. Miss Evans is coming home on Thursday.

Wed 7th. It is cousin Harry Baildon’s birthday tomorrow, and the verse in my text book for the day is 'What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul.'

Wed 7th. I did not write yesterday. Aunt Mary came yesterday and uncle Beaumont has come this evening. Mrs. Evans returns tomorrow. Uncle Joe, Aunt Jane, and Aunt Charlotte have been here this evening. They came with Aunt Mary from Audlem.

Fri 9th. I was down at Audlem yesterday and stayed with Aunt Jane all day. Miss Evans came yesterday, it is so nice to have her amongst us again. We did not write yesterday. We do not begin lessons until Monday.

Fri 9th. Miss Evans has come back yesterday, and I did not write in my diary, for I was with her all the time. I am so glad she has come back, I feel as though I can tell her anything that troubled me, for Miss Evans has had trouble enough to sympathize with other people.

Sat 10th. Poppy and Miss Evans have gone to Audlem, I think they must have stayed for tea at Aunt Jane. Miss Evans has given Poppy, Emily and myself each a little flower basket they are so very pretty, they will look so nice on our dressing table full of flowers. I am quite ready to begin work on Monday.

Sat 10th. Poppy and Miss Evans have gone down to Audlem. I have been thinking this evening how much Poppy would like to be one of Christ’s little lambs, but I feel as though I were wandering further and further away from Him, and as though I should never reach Heaven. The verse in my text book for today was so pretty, it was, “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.”

Sun 11th. We all went to Adderley church this morning. We were too frightened of the bull to go to Audlem. Mamma has gone to see Aunt Jane, and she is going to write to Aunt Sarah tomorrow to tell her. Miss Evans has come home, because she is going to settle our lessons for us.

Sun 11th. I have been to church this morning with Miss Evans & Poppy, Chatty and Emily. Mamma went down to Aunt Jane’s this afternoon. I think the vicar gave a very good sermon this evening.

Mon 12th. It has been such a beautiful day we have been out twice to-day. I am very glad the first day of our lessons is over, I cannot tell why but I always glad when it is.

Mon 12th. I do have to begin lessons again. I do not doubt it somehow that I shall reach heaven. Miss Evans told me that I must think of Jesus more as a friend and to remember the text, “Pray, believe, ask, and it shall be given thee.” I said that a comfort this is to me, and oh, she is such a very great comfort. I must not get disheartened if God does not hear me.

Tues 13th. Poppy is going to Drayton on Thursday, and I think to Kynsal tomorrow evening. We have such a pretty blue flower in a pot now and Miss Evans brought us some ferns.

Tues 13th. We have not been out much. It has been raining nearly all day. Jack has not been able to get on much with his corn harvest.Wed 14th. Mamma has gone to Hankelow. It is beginning to be like the autumn, the winter will soon be here, it does not seem like two years since Papa was living and telling us about himself when he was a boy.

Wed 14^th. Mamma has gone down to Audlem, and I should think she would be frightened for there are two bulls in the park. I think Poppy is going to Drayton tomorrow to stay a little while with cousin Pollie.

Thurs 15th. Poppy went to Drayton and will not be back for a fortnight. The Miss Mangnalls have been here tonight.

Thurs 15^th. Poppy has gone to Drayton. She went by the five train this afternoon. The Misses Mangnalls were called this evening they asked Jack and Dick to go to tea on Thursday after the cricket. They wanted Poppy to go, but she will be away.

Fri 16^th. Jack has not been very well today but he could not have been very poorly for he has been on the sewing machine all morning. It is his birthday tomorrow.

Fri 16^th. Arthur and Elsie have got a many mushrooms today and I think Dick is going tomorrow morning before breakfast.

Sat 17^th. Jack and Dick have gone to the Miss Mangnalls this evening. We are reading the life of John Milton, and I think he was a greater man than Shakespeare, because he was blind, when he composed his two best poems.

Sat 17^th. Jack and Dick have gone to the Misses Mangnalls to tea. Mr. Lightfoot came here this afternoon.

Sun 18^th. Mrs Evans and we three children went to Adderley church this morning, we had such a beautiful sermon. Aunt Sarah told us such a beautiful little bit about the rainbow, she said that God has made the bow, and that the round part was turned toward towards the earth, showing that God is not always angry with mankind, we ought to thank God for it. Aunt Sarah said she had come to Shrewsbury once, but she did not, so I think she will come tomorrow. It has been such a beautiful day, we have been out a great deal.

Sun 19^th. I did not write yesterday. I feel so miserable for Miss Evans is vexed with me and I do try to be good but I cannot and I don’t think that she thinks I don’t try to be good but it is so, and it is very hard. I feel as though it is all of no use, and the more I hear of good children, the more I long to be one.

Mon 20^th. We have been planting the ferns Mrs Evans brought in a box, our plants look very well. We have not heard anything about Aunt Sarah.

Mon 20^th. We have planted some ferns that Miss Evans brought in a box. I do hope they will live for they are so pretty.

Tues 27th. I have been staying with cousin Polly since Thursday. We went over Little Drayton church, it is so pretty. When we were going over the church-yard, it made me feel so queer, as it was so full of graves and the man was digging two fresh ones.

Tues 27^th. I have not written in my diary for a week. Chatty went to Drayton on Thursday she has come back today. Poppy & Miss Evans, Jack & Dick have gone to the Miss Heath’s this afternoon to tea.

Wed 28th. It has been such a rainy day, but there is a thick mist rising tonight. Poppy and Dick are going to see Mrs. Foggie on Saturday.

Wed 28^th. Poppy went to Kinsale this morning & down to Audlem this afternoon. It has been raining a great deal.

Thurs. 29th. Aunt Sarah and cousin Amy have been this afternoon. I cannot tell why, but some times I feel as though something unpleasant thing is going to happen. It makes me feel so unhappy, I feel like it to-night, but there is no reason for me to think so.

Thurs 29^th. I did not write yesterday. Aunt Sarah & Cousin Amy, and Cousin Willie, Harry & Jim were here yesterday. It did begin raining a great deal. I am afraid the corn will be spoilt, but it is God’s will & He knows best what is good for us. St. Paul said “All things work together for good to them that love God.” He had a great deal of sorrow.

Fri 30th. I am afraid it will be a very bad corn harvest if the rain continues as it has these three or four last days. Next Sunday is the first of September. In four months Christmas will be here again, but I doubt I have not done as much good as I might have done in the last year.

Sun 31st. I have not been to church it has been too cold. We are reading Home Influence. It is about a girl who has not the courage always to speak the exact truth. Fozzy and Miss Evans have gone to Audlem Church this evening. I did not write yesterday.

September 1878

Sun 1^st. I did not write yesterday. I have not been to church at all. I could hear the bells ringing so plainly this evening & they did sound so pretty.

Sun 15th. I have not written for fortnight, but nothing particular has happened. Totty and Jane knitting a pair of stockings for cousin Edith. I hope we shall do them nicely. We are keeping an account of the books we read, and to show them to Aunt Sarah at the end of the six months.

Tues 17th. Miss Evans and Poppy are going to see Aunt Mary on Saturday. Mamma is very busy with her jam, she had never stopped working since eight o’clock this morning. Miss Smith came here just when we were sitting down to dinner to ask Poppy and Miss Evans to go to Kynsal on Thursday instead of Wednesday.

October 1878

Sun 27^th. I have not written since the Sept 17th. Dick has been ill since then, and is going next week to see Uncle Fred. I have just read the ‘Pillar of Fire.’ It gives you an account of the early life of Moses, but the events of his life were so far long ago that I can hardly think of them really taking place. And yet the same God takes care of us now who delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt. We had such a beautiful sermon this morning, and it making good use of the gifts God has given us.

Sun 27^th. I have not written for a very long while. Dick has been ill. He is going to Uncle Fred’s next week I think. Miss Evans & Poppy have gone to Audlem church. We were there this morning.

Wed 30th. How dry & useless it is to try and be better without constantly asking God’s aid. I was very unhappy yesterday that I determined to try and be better, but to-day things have gone worse than ever, till I am getting discouraged about ever being good like some other people, much more doing Christmas my example.

Chatty Baker’s diary extract

November 1878

Sun 3rd. Tomorrow is my birthday and I shall be sixteen. The little event is very appropriate I think, for me, it is Thanksgiving. I am weak in resisting temptation, for he sends such foolish thoughts into my mind, that any other person I feel sure would resist. Mr. Robinson preached such a good sermon saying how that if we neglected to pray it is act to God, we are sure to go wrong. I have not written since Wednesday. Aunt Margaret, Uncle Beaumont have been staying here since Saturday. Poppy and Mrs. Evans have gone to church tonight.

Sun 3^rd. Miss Evans & Poppy have gone to church. Dick is going to Uncle Fred’s tomorrow & Mamma and he are hacking up.

Sun 10^th. Miss Evans & Poppy have gone to Aunt Mary & Uncle Beaumont have been staying here since last Saturday, but they have gone away this evening. It had been very wet today.

Mon 11^th. Aunt Jane has fallen down stairs and hurt her eye. Mrs. Smith and the Miss Mac Capes are coming here tomorrow for tea. How very much I wish I could please Miss Evans more with my music. It makes things so miserable, she must think I do not care for her in the least, but I am sure I do.

Mon 11^th. It has been raining nearly all day so we have not been out at all. Jack has gone to Audlem.

December 1878

Sun 29^th. I have not written since Nov. 5^th. I have said so many times I will write regularly this time. I will really try more than ever, for Miss Evans says if we are not true in little things we shall not be so in greater ones. Miss Evans has gone away for her holidays. Since I last wrote Dick has been away from home, and I have been poorly again with another cold, so I have not been able to practise lately or do any lessons.

Sun 29^th. I have not written for a long while. Our holidays have begun & Miss Evans went away yesterday. There has been a great deal of snow but it is going away now; it has lasted more than a week. I have not been to church for several Sundays, as it has been such bad weather.

Mon 30^th. We have been sending away some New Year cards. I think it is very nice to send them. The snow has quite gone, it has stayed a very long time. I am going to begin to practise again tomorrow, and try what I can do before Miss Evans returns.

Mon 30^th. This evening we have been putting some New Year cards ready for Dick to take to the post tomorrow; we are sending some to Hankelow & some to Duncliffe. The doctor who has come to stay while Dr. Jay is away, has been here.

1879

January 1879

Sat 4^th. I wrote to Miss Evans last Wednesday but I have not heard from her yet. We have been having such fun, playing at dressing at old women! The snow has returned, I am so sorry, but it is of course all for the best.

Tues 7^th. Jack has been staying at Whitchurch since Saturday. Uncle Joe was here on Sunday, but Aunt Jane dare not come because of the frost. I have just been writing to Miss Evans, she is not coming home for three weeks, I hope she will enjoy her holidays, she works hard when she is here.

Tues 7^th. The bell ringers were here last night. I do so like to hear them. They rang three times, the last time it was the Christmas hymn called “O come all ye faithful.” I think it is such a beautiful tune. Mrs Ashe, Miss Slate, Mrs Slae were here yesterday morning. Jack has gone down to Audlem this afternoon. The snow has come again, and the frost.

Wed 8^th. Dr. Jay has been here, he has been away for a fortnight seeing his children. I have thought very much lately about going into an hospitte (perhaps meaning a hospice). I should like to do it. I have not said anything about it to anybody except Miss Evans, some how I do not like. If pa were alive I could talk to him, I do not know why, but, he always liked us to tell him any thing we thought about. We are without a servant now, I wish we could get one, I am afraid. Mamma is working too hard, she has a very bad cough now.

Wed 8^th. Jack has gone to Mrs. Brittain’s this evening. I think her brother is there. I have been reading the life of the Prince Consort out of “Little Folks”, what a very good man he was. Jack is thinking of going out to try to shoot a rabbit tonight, but I do not know whether he will or not. The moon is very bright, it was full last night. Yesterday evening the scullery window was most beautiful, there was a pot on it, and the moon shining through it.

Thu 9th. There has been no one here to day. I have had a good practice, tonight, I think I have done my piece of music, some good. Aunt Sarah is coming to give us our examination when Miss Evans comes home. I am reading a book called Mabel Vaughan, it is interesting.

Fri 10th. Mr. Sydney Smith has been here today. Jack and he are going to skate on a pond at Adderley tomorrow. John has been to Audlem with Miss Smith.

Fri 10^th. Mr. Sydney was here this afternoon, & Poppy has been down to Audlem with Miss Smith. It has been snowing again today. I have finished some crochet that I have been doing. I began it before Miss Evans went away for the holidays. We are without a servant now, and we have been for a fortnight. There was one here this evening, named Mary Buckley, but I don’t know whether she will suit Mamma or not. I hope she will, for Mamma and Poppy have to be so busy, and Mamma has had a bad cough for a long while.

Sat 11^th. Jack has been skating at Adderley with some others from Audlem. We have not heard from Miss Evans yet. I am trying to finish some crochet before she returned to put on my night-gown.

Sat 11^th. Jack, Arthur, and Dick have been skating at Adderley this afternoon, and Jack has not come home yet. I put my crochet to stew this afternoon, because it was so dirty, and Mamma has put it out of doors.

Sun 12th. I have just finish reading Mabel Vaughan, it is interesting, it really is getting near to the end. Jack has gone to Audlem church, it is so long since I have been to church, and Dr. Jay says I must stay in the house nearly all winter. Kitty is singing hymns with Dick, she is playing Mamma’s favourite one “Pleasant are Thy courts above.” I think it is very pretty, but I like others better.

Sun 12^th. Jack has gone to church this evening. It is snowing and raining. Mrs. Parker has been here, Jack is giving up Hawkesmoor, the sale is on Thursday.

Tue 14^th There has been a servant here from Drayton, I do not know if she will do, I hope she will. Jack is going to have a sale at Hawksmoor on Thursday. Mamma will be very busy, but Mrs. Moston is staying here to help. Poppy heard from Miss Evans last Monday. I shall be very glad when she comes home.

Tues 14^th. Mrs. Morton has come here this morning to stay until we can get a servant. Servant has been here, and I hope she will do for Mamma.

Wed 15^th. Cousin Harry came to-night, to sell the things at Hawksmoor to-morrow; cousin Jinny is coming to-morrow. We have not heard from Miss Evans yet, I think we shall to-morrow.

Thurs 16^th. Cousin Jack thinks it has been a good sale. I have written to Miss Evans to-night. I like writing to her, I can tell her anything that I think of, just as if I were talking to her. Cousin Jinny has been to-day I like her very much.

Thurs 16^th. The sale has been today, & Jack thinks it has been a good one. Cousin Jenny has been here, & two Mr. Hunsleys.

Fri 17^th. It has been such a beautiful day! Totty and Emily have been out-of-doors. We have made some letters on some paper, “Welcome Home,” and are going to put them in Miss Evans’s room when she comes home. Mrs. Moston has not been to work to-day, she has been well.

Fri 17^th. Emily and I have been out, it was very nice but rather cold. I forgot to put yesterday that Emily had a letter from Miss Evans.

Sat 18^th. The servant that was here the other day will not do. Cousin Jinny is going to enquire in Whitchurch for one. I hope she will be successful. I have read thirteen books since Midsummer, counting pieces of poetry. I am going to write to Miss Evans on Wednesday, Thursday next.

Sat 18^th. She said that little Georgie’s cough had come back again, and he was very poorly. I have written to Miss Evans, and Jack has taken the letter to the post, he was going to Poplar Gate to stay until Monday. It has been snowing very much, it is the third time we have had the snow this winter, but we must not complain, for St. Paul says “All things work together for good to them that believe.”

Sun 19^th. Poppy and Dick went to Audlem church this morning. Jack has gone to Pepegate to stay till Monday. The snow has returned, I was so sorry to lose it, but it must be all for the best. I have begun to read “Paradise Regained.” I have commenced before, but have never finished it. Jack said that perhaps Dr Jay will leave Audlem, I hope he will not, I think he is very clever. I am sure he has done Emily good. Totty is singing hymns. I wish I had not been obliged to leave off singing, I would have rather gone on with that than with my music. I always thought I could have done more at singing than playing, although I should never have done much at either, but I mean to try at my music now, I think Miss Evans thinks that when I leave off lessons I shall give it up. I will try and not disappoint her so much as that.

Sun 19^th. Poppy and Dick went to church this morning. I have been singing hymns this evening. I think one of the prettiest is “Pleasant are they countenance above,” it reminds me of Papa. I remember singing it when he was there one morning at church, and it always makes me think of him. I have begun to read “Mark Caughan,” it is one of Poppy’s books.

Tue 21st. I did not write yesterday. I wrote to Miss Evans today. I shall be glad when I hear from her. I am anxious to hear how Georgie is, he has been very poorly. There has been such a dreadful accident in Audlem last Thursday to a man who was riding home, how very serious it is to die, so very sad, it shows we should be always ready to appear before God. Dr. Jay has been today. I should think there is no cause for him coming again.

Tues 21st. I have been to Mrs. Brittain’s this afternoon. Chatty has written to Miss Evans. Jack came back from Pipegate yesterday and he was at Mr. Benion’s last night. Aunt Mary wants Mamma to go to Pipegate at the end of this week. I do not know if she will go or not, I think it would be good to go for she has a very bad cough. Dr. Jay came here this afternoon. He says Chatty is very much better.

Thurs 23rd. I have had such a kind letter from Miss Evans, Georgie is better. I am very glad, for if he were to be very ill, I do not know whatever she would have done. I think Mamma has a servant at last. Poppy is going tomorrow to see her. It is nearly a year since I began to write in my diary. I was reading some of it the other night. I do not think it is not nice at all. When I have finished this I shall begin another now I know more how to write one. I shall tell Miss Evans first what I have thought about, for I am sure I shall show it to her, if I make another. Poppy and Dick went to Kynsal yesterday for tea, the Miss Mangnalls were there, I think they enjoyed themselves very much. I did not write yesterday.

Thurs 23rd. I went to Mrs. Brittain’s this afternoon. Poppy and Dick were at Pipegate yesterday evening, and Jack was at a party at Mrs. Gouldbourne’s. Chatty and I have had a letter each from Miss Evans. I did not write yesterday.

Sat 25th. Jack and Arthur have been to skate at Adderley, it has been a harder frost this time than it was before. The servant is coming on Monday I hope she will do. Miss Evans is perhaps coming home on Thursday if we do not hear from her to ask. Mamma may stay longer. We are to go to Mrs. Brittain’s some day soon before we begin lessons again. Mamma still has a very bad cough. Mr. Brook has sent her some lozenges I hope they will do her good. I did not write yesterday.

Sat 25th. I did not write yesterday. Arthur and Jack have been skating at Shavington. Arthur has come back but Jack has not. I should like to learn to skate, I think I shall ask Dick or Arthur to teach me. We are putting down the books we read, and I am going to put two more down tonight.

Sun 26th. Poppy and Dick have been this evening to Alderley church, I wish I could go to church. We have been sitting with Mrs. Mostyn and have shown her some books, Jack was skating at Shavington and he went home with Mr. Witton because it is his birthday. It has been a very quiet Sunday I think. I have read more to-day than I have done for a long time. I wonder how Miss Evans has passed this Sunday, in reading I dare say.

Sun 26th. Poppy and Dick have been to Addleley church this evening, and Jack and Arthur to Audlem. I have written to Miss Evans and to little Georgie, and I shall give the letters to Dick to post tomorrow.

Tues 28th. I did not write yesterday. Mamma had a letter from Miss Evans, she is not coming home until Saturday week. Mamma has a servant at last, her name is Chester, she seems very quick at her work. I hope she will do, we have been without one such a long time. The snow is still on the ground, it freezes all the time, I do not ever remember such a hard frost as it has been this winter. Miss Smith has been, it is a very long time since she was here before, her friend Miss Macfarlane is soon coming to Kynsal soon, then she is to go up the Mediterranean on Feb 7th and will return home at the end of April. I should enjoy going very much.

Tues 28th. I forgot to write in my diary last night. I was trying to skate yesterday. Dick bought me a pair of skates from Audlem. Miss Smith has been here today. She expects Miss Mackenzie tomorrow. A new servant came yesterday, I do hope she will suit Mamma, her name is Jane Chester.

Wed 29^th. Jack has gone to the Miss Heath’s for tea. Mamma’s cough was better, she does not feel very well to-night. I wish her cough would leave her. Sydney Smith was here this morning to ask Jack and Arthur to go to Skat. Totty was skating last Monday for the first time. Dick has bought her a paid of skates. I do not think I should care for it. I am going to write to Miss Evans some time next week. She is going soon from Chester to finish her holidays with her sister at Tarporley. We have had rather long holidays this Christmas. Arthur went to Audlem..

Wed 29th. Jack has gone to a party at the Miss Mangnalls Heaths. Chatty wrote to Miss Evans yesterday, she is coming back on Saturday week. Mr. Sydney was here this morning.

Fri. 31st. Mr. Witton was here yesterday for dinner and tea. Miss Mackenzie has come to Kynsal, she is staying until Feb. 6th I think. There is an oyster supper at Uncle Joe’s tonight. Jack has gone. Aunt Mary and Uncle Beaumont came this morning to stay until Monday perhaps they are coming here tomorrow. I hope they will. It is a very long time since I have seen them. Aunt asked Mamma to go to stay with her at Pipegate I wish she would take her back with her. I am sure Mamma wants a rest, it would do her good to have a change. I did not write yesterday.

February 1879

Sat 1^st. I have written to Miss Evans tonight as she is coming home today week. I do not think I shall write to her again these holidays. Perhaps Uncle Beaumont and Aunt Mary are coming tomorrow they are staying at Uncle Joe’s till Monday I think. Perhaps Mamma is going sometime next week to stay with Aunt Mary at Pipegate. Jack has gone skating to Adderley. I hope he will not be late in coming home.

Sat 1st. I have not written for two nights. Jack was at an oyster supper at Uncle Joe’s last evening. I think Aunt Mary and Uncle Beaumont are coming here tomorrow, they are staying at Uncle Joe’s till Monday, they came yesterday. Chatty has written to Miss Evans. When Miss Smith was here the other day, she told us that the King of the Netherlands was dead, and he was only married last August, what a sad thing it was. The Princess Alice is also dead. She caught diphtheria with kissing one of her children who had it, she died the same day of the month, of the same month as the Prince Consort, and she was such a good creature. I think it shows us we ought to be prepared for death, for it may come so suddenly upon us. I know I wish that I was. Uncle Beaumont had been here, he went early because Uncle Joe was going to Chester to the service, and he wanted to see him before he went. The snow is thawing very fast. I am reading Pilgrim’s Progress, and I think I have read half of it.

Sun 2^nd. Uncle Beaumont came here this afternoon, he brought Poppy a pair of cuffs. I have finished reading Paradise Regained, it is very interesting and it is not as difficult to understand as I thought it would have been, but I had to think of what I was reading. I think the frost is going at last. I am very glad it is.

Mon 3^rd. The snow still keeps going, it is so pleasant to see the green grass again. There is an oyster supper at Uncle Beaumont’s next Wednesday. Jack is going to it and he will stay at Audlem all night. Mamma thinks her cough is better. I am so glad, she still takes her lozenges. She likes her servant, she is very quick and tidy. Totty and I have made a cover for the foot stool, it looks very much better than it did before. Dick has made such a pretty spill-case out of cardboard and covered it with pictures.

Mon 3rd. Dick has made a spill-case of cardboard with flowers gummed on it, and it does look so pretty. Chatty and I have made a new cover for the footstool that is in the dining room, and Emily had finished a piece of woolwork she has been doing. When I have finished writing I think I shall read a little out of ‘Mabel Vaughan,’ for I have not finished it yet and it is so interesting; we are putting down the books we read for Aunt Sarah to see. I have read 12 counting 2 poems and 3 lectures out of a book called ‘Peter Hall Lectures.’

Tues 4^th. It is Mr. Smith’s birthday. Miss Smith and Miss Mackenzie were here this afternoon. She does look so pale, and I am reading a book of travels, it tells you about the chief towns of Europe. It is very interesting. We have not heard from Miss Evans yet, I think we shall in the morning at least. I hope we shall, but we shall only have to wait till Saturday and then she is coming home for almost six months. I have caught fresh colds so I have to be very careful. Mrs. Hattan has asked us to go there for tea tomorrow but I think I shall ask Mamma if I may stay at home, I would rather do it than make my cold worse, I do not want to be upstairs next Saturday. Mrs. Ashe and her cousin were here for a short time this morning. Mr. Ashe has gone to Liverpool but is returning on Thursday or Friday. Miss Ashe has a bad cough, she could not even go to play the organ at Hankelow school last Sunday, she would not mind going there, if she could help it. Dick has made another spill-case.

Tues 4th. I have finished reading ‘Mabel Vaughan,’ and I must put it down on my paper. Miss Smith and Miss Eliza Mackenzie have been here. Polly Brittain came here this afternoon, and she asked us to go there to tea tomorrow. Miss Ashe and Miss Petitjean were here this morning. Miss Ashe has been staying in London for not quite three weeks. The snow is nearly all gone, but I think it’s freezing again tonight.

Thurs 6th. I did not write last night for we were at Mr. Brittain’s and it was late when we returned. Chatty and I have written to Miss Evans. Jack has been to an oyster-supper at Uncle Beaumont’s, he stayed all night at Aunt Jane’s.

Thurs 6th. Totty and Emily were at Mrs. Brittain’s yesterday. They did not come home till quite late. I could not go because of my cold, but it is better today. I have written again to Miss Evans. I did say I should not again these holidays but I altered my mind about it. I did not write last night.

Fri 7th. I have heard from Miss Evans today she is coming home tomorrow by the quarter to five. I am so glad. Uncle Joe and Mr. Fallon have been this afternoon. I think, what little I have seen of Mr. Fallon, I liked Mrs. James better. Jack has gone this evening to Kynsal. The snow has quite gone at last, but Mamma thinks it will return; I hope not. My cold is better tonight.

Fri 7^th. Uncle Joe and Mr. Fallon have been here. We have been making spills nearly all this evening; I do so like making them. Jack has gone to Kynsal this evening. I began to read ‘Wakefield’s Tour’ yesterday; it is about a family travelling through England.

Sun 9th. It is Poppy’s birthday. Miss Evans has really come home at last. She is the same dear old friend that went away. Totty has caught a bad cold and Arthur, I think, is beginning with one. Jack and Dick have gone to Audlem church, it has been such a beautiful day quite warm. Miss Evans has brought Emily a Bible and Totty and me a scrap book they are so very pretty. I have often thought I should like one.

Sun 9th. I did not write last night. Miss Evans came home yesterday; she has brought Chatty and myself a scrap-book, and Emily a Bible. Poppy and Miss Evans went to church this morning, and Jack and Dick have gone this evening. I have a bad cold, and Arthur as well, I wish they would go away.

Mon 10^th. We have begun to take cod liver oil again. Mamma has bought a half-gallon bottle from Liverpool. I am knitting some socks for Mamma. Mrs Mostyn has never come for the wool to knit them. It has been such a beautiful day. Emily has been out of doors.

Mon 10th. Miss Evans has been teaching Emily and me a pattern of knitting. It is very pretty. Arthur and Jack have been ferreting. Am reading Wakefield’s Tour; have finished Mabel Vaughan.

Tues 11th. Chatty and I are knitting Arthur a pair of socks, before Christmas we knitted Cousin Reggie a pair. Miss Evans is knitting Arthur another pair. Mamma has been to Kynsal this afternoon, she has not been so far for a long while. Aunt Jane and Aunt Charlotte have been here this afternoon, they have not been before for a long while. Jack is gone to an oyster supper at Dr. Jay’s this evening.

Tues 11^th. Totty and I have begun to knit a pair of socks for Arthur. I am going to see how quick I can be over them. We have not been out it has been so damp. Mamma has been to Kynsal but did not stay long.

Wed 12^th. Aunt Jane and Aunt Charlotte have been this afternoon. They have not been for a very long time. Mamma is soon going down to Audlem to see Aunt Charlotte before she goes to Yorkshire. There is an oyster supper at Dr. Jay’s tomorrow. Uncle Joe is going. Jack has gone to Audlem. I should think Aunt Jane will soon be coming now the weather has changed. It has been such a beautiful day. I am so glad. The summer I think is coming at last.

Wed. 12th. Aunt Jane and Aunt Charlotte have been here this afternoon, they have not been before for a long while. Jack is gone to an oyster supper at Dr Jay’s this evening.

Thurs 13th. Emily has had a valentine. Dick sent it to her. She is crocheting my doll a petticoat. I have not been out today, it has been so wet. Have done the heel of Arthur’s sock. Miss Evans is doing the foot of the one she is knitting.

Thurs 13^th. It has been such a wet day none of us have been out. Emily has begun to crochet a little petticoat for Tottie’s doll. There is a war in Cape Colony between the English and Zulus. They are such tall men, scarcely any of them are less than 6 ft. They have just killed 500 of the English besides taking a great deal of ammunition.

In February 1879, the Cape Colony was heavily entangled in the Anglo-Zulu War, which had broken out just a month prior in January 1879. While the principal fighting of the Anglo-Zulu War took place primarily in neighbouring Natal and Zululand, the Cape Colony served as the political and logistical nerve centre for the British military campaign. The war was largely orchestrated from Cape Town by Sir Henry Bartle Frere, the British High Commissioner for South Africa. By February 1879, the colony was reeling from the catastrophic British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879, where Zulu forces annihilated a British column. Throughout February, the Cape Colony was in a state of high panic and mobilization, rushing reinforcements, horses, and supplies to the front lines to stabilize the region.

Fri 14^th. Mamma and Emily have been out of doors it has been quite warm. We have done some of the plain knitting of the three socks. Miss Collins is finishing her first thick for going to London on Thursday. It is a week tomorrow since these Evans came home.

Fri 14th. Emily has nearly finished my doll’s petticoat. Dick has brought me some lozenges, for I am beginning with a cough. Jack, Dick, and Arthur have had three beautiful valentines.

Sat 15^th. Mrs. Mostyn has fetched my wool to finish Arthur’s socks so I cannot go on with mine until Jack has bought some more from Audlem. I am getting on with my book, it gets more interesting the farther I read in it. It has been a real February day. Jack has gone to Audlem by train.

Sat 15th. Jack has gone to Audlem this evening. I think he was going from Adderley by the train; it is a dreadful night. I should think he would have a very miserable out. We have none of us been out today, it has been so wet. Emily has what she was crocheting for a doll’s petticoat for one, for a doll’s frock for herself, for we think it will do better for one. Miss Evans is crocheting the body of the frock, it will be very pretty I think.

Sun 16^th. I am just finishing such an interesting book, the Life of Captain Hedley Vicars, he fought in the Crimean war. Miss Evans and Dick went to church this morning. Jack and Arthur have gone this evening.

Sun 16th. Miss Evans and Dick went to church this morning, and Miss Evans and Poppy went to call at Kynsale this afternoon, because Miss Mackenzie is going away tomorrow. I am reading a book called “The Biographical Sketch of Sir Henry Havelock.” It is very interesting.

Mon 17th. Jack has been out hunting, the snow has resumed. I hope it will not last long. Emily has been out with Miss Evans. Uncle Tom has sent for some grafts from our apple trees. Aunt Jane has gone to Pipegate to stay with Aunt Mary while Uncle Joe is in London.

Mon 17^th. Jack has been out hunting, he has not been before for some time because of the frost; he has gone to Corbrook to Mr. Boote’s. It has been snowing very fast indeed, and the flakes were so very large. I do not think I have ever seen them so large before. Miss Mackenzie has left Kinsale today she is going home, she sails one this day from Liverpool, she is going down the Mediterranean, and I think she expects to return home in about two months; she has been very ill indeed. Chatty and I are learning a duet it is called Lucretia Borgia, it is very pretty indeed, and I hope we shall soon know it.

Tues 18th. I have written to Uncle Henry to ask him to send me some more lozenges my cough has returned. Mamma says I must stay upstairs tomorrow. Jack has gone with Mr. Boot to Waterloo coursing, he returns tomorrow night.

Tues 18^th. Chatty writing to Uncle Henry for some cough lozenges, for her cough has returned, and she has a sore throat. Jack has gone to the Waterloo coursing with Mr. Foote, he is coming back tomorrow night; we used to keep some greyhounds, but they were all old except one, and that died not long ago. A gentleman named Mr. Folley, who lives at The Belaporte, had been looking over the house, he wants it for his son, but I do not know whether he will take it or not. Mamma was trying to let it the year before last, but she could not. Emily is going to have some doves from Hankelow Hall. I think they are coming this week. I am so fond of birds.

Wed 19^th. Dick has not been to the office, for he has a boil on his chin, and he is afraid of getting the frost into it. Miss Evans and Poppy have been down to Audlem to post some letters. Jack has not come back from the Waterloo coursing yet, he was to come tonight. Chatty is getting into bed, she’s going to have some mustard poultices on; we have had our lesson upstairs in Mamma’s bedroom, because Chatty could not come down, I hope she will soon be able to.

Thurs 20th. I did not write yesterday. I had to have some mustard plasters on. John went to Waterloo on Tuesday, he has not returned yet.

Thurs 20^th. Jack did not come home last night. Poppy and Miss Evans saw Mrs. Boote yesterday afternoon, and she said that they was going to stay at Corbrook all night, he has not come home yet. I am learning a new piece of music, & have begun it today.

Mon 24th. I have not written for four days. Jack has gone to Whitchurch. I do not know yet how long Dr. Jay has been, this afternoon helped, did not stay as long as usual. We are having such cold weather, there is quite a thick snow again. I hope it will not last as long as it did before. It almost looks as if we were not going to have any warm weather.

Mon 24^th. I have not written for three days. Mr. Colville was here this morning looking over the house, he is the stepson of Mr. Colson, Mamma did not think he will take. Jack and Arthur are thinking of going to South America to a sheep farm, I am sure we shall miss them very much if they do go, for we shall be very quiet without them. They are thinking of going in May, with a friend of Mr. Ashe, who has a very large farm there.

Tues 25^th. Miss Evans, Poppy, and Dick have gone to an entertainment at Audlem, and Jane has been sitting with us. Chatty has not come downstairs yet, she is now stitching some tatting on one of Emily’s nightgowns, it is very pretty indeed.

March 1879

Sat 1^st. Miss Evans has been very poorly for the two last days, I hope she will be better tomorrow. I have sent for some lozenges for Mamma but they have not come yet, her cough is very bad yet, mine is much better. I shall soon be able to come downstairs.

Wed 5th. I have not written since Saturday. Miss Evans is quite well again, but Emily has a bad cough. Aunt Jane and Uncle Joe were here on Sunday but did not stay long.

Wed 5th. Emily had been in bed with a cough, but I think it is a little better now, she got up today & yesterday. Emily’s flowers have come, they are such nice little things. Poppy had been staying at Hankelow for a few days. We have our lessons upstairs yet. I have not written for several days.

Sun 23rd. It was Miss Evans birthday yesterday, she and Poppy went to Audlem. I have been downstairs for more than a fortnight. We are going on just the same with lessons. Totty is going to try for the Cambridge examination in December. Mamma has been staying at Pipegate for some days, her cough is still bad. Jack and Arthur are to South America in May we shall miss them very much, it will perhaps be more than three years before we shall see them again. I shall try to write as often as possible. I am reading a very interesting book, that Miss Evans lent me, it is about the Indian Mutiny. Dick has another boil under his arm, it has been very bad. Poppy, Miss Evans, Jack, and Arthur have gone to Audlem church this evening, it is months since I have been, though it does not trouble me much that I cannot go, so that I could go to church oftener than I do. I am getting used to staying in the house.

Sun 29th. Miss Evans & Poppy have been to church. Dick & I have been singing hymns nearly all evening. Jack went to Liverpool on Friday. Mamma has been staying at Pipegate with Aunt Mary.

April 1879

Tues 1st. Miss Evans & Poppy has gone to Chester today, she is going to the godmother of Mr. Williams’ baby, she is coming home again on Friday, I think. Poppy, Miss Evans, Jack, Dick & Arthur went to a concert at Audlem last night. Jack & Arthur have been to the Drayton races, and Cousin Willie won one race. I think Jack and Arthur are soon going to Buenos Aires, how we shall miss them, we shall be very, very sad without them, who would have thought three years ago they would have gone. I think God is very good for letting us know what is going to happen, though we may often wish to do. Mamma still has a bad cough, it does not seem to get any better, unless she tries to go outside. Oh I wish I could be a better child, Oh God help me to become one, for Jesus Christ’s sake. I have just been upstairs with Jane & Emily to light Mamma’s fire.

Tues 13^th. Miss Evans has gone to Chester, to stay until Friday. Mamma has a bad cold, she does not seem well at all. Jack and Arthur have been to the Drayton races, they have been very good. Cousin Willy won one, with a tranny that he drives. Poppy, Miss Evans, Jack, Dick, and Arthur were at a concert at Audlem yesterday evening they thought it very good. Cousin Arthur has been here from Birmingham, for his Easter holidays. Last Friday was Good Friday, Sydney was here for dinner, and on the Sunday some of them from here went to Pipegate to see Uncle Beaumont and Aunt Mary, they did not return until late.

Wed 16^th. Dick, Emily and I have been a long walk & we gathered some anemones.

Thurs 17^th. It has been such a nice day I have been out all afternoon. Miss Evans is coming home tomorrow. Mamma has been to Pipegate, and she came home today. Aunt Sarah is coming sometime next week, she was to come tomorrow but we did not know Mamma and Miss Evans would be at home.

Thurs 17^th. Mamma went to Aunt Mary’s yesterday, she came home this evening. Chatty has been out with us today, she has not been out for some time before. We have planted some more primrose roots in our garden & some violets. Chatty, Emily & I have been to Mr. Brittain’s.

Sun 20th. None of us have been to church, it has been such a wet day. Mamma is very poorly, she has such a bad cold. Miss Evans came home last Friday. Hetty, Emily and myself had been to Audlem, and Aunt Jane came back with us. Dr. Jay has been ill with rheumatic fever, but he is better now.

Sun 20^th. Miss Evans came home again last Friday evening. Miss Smith & Amy Coombes were here on Friday to tea. Chatty, Emily, & I went down to Audlem the same day, Aunt Jane came back with us. Mamma has been very ill; she has not been well for some time & on Friday she was obliged to go to bed again, but she is better now. I had come down stairs today. Poppy & Jack were at Hankelow to tea last evening. I am reading now the life of Capt. Hedley Vicars, he fought in the Crimean war. Jack has gone to see Mr. Ashe again today, & Dick & Arthur have gone to church.

Wed 23rd. The Doctor was here yesterday to see Mamma, she is very poorly. Arthur has been to Drayton. Totty was going only it was too wet. Jack and Arthur are really going to Buenos Aires in May so they have not not long to be at home.

Wed 23^rd. Mr. Gouldbourne & Mr. Mear have been here. Arthur has been to Drayton. I was to have gone with them. It was rather nice day, Mrs. Ashe & the two Miss Ellises have been here yesterday, they have not been out today.

Sun 27th. It has been such a beautiful day I have been out nearly all morning. I think summer will soon be here now and I hope I shall be able to go to church often. The doctor was here yesterday to see Mamma. Jack and Arthur were at Nantwich. Mr. Pope wanted to see Arthur before he goes away. Miss Evans, Hetty and Emily gathered such pretty primroses, it is so nice to have them again, some flowers that I pressed last year are all right in colour as the day I did them.

Sun 27^th. I have been such a pleasant walk with Miss Evans & Emily. I have not had such a nice one for a long while; we gathered some very pretty flowers, primroses & anemones. Dick & Arthur went to Hankelow yesterday afternoon to tea. There was a concert at Adderley last Friday. Dick & Jack & Arthur were there. Jack & Dick were at a party at Mr. Lisk’s Thursday evening, at the house they have just gone to. It has been such a beautiful day, the lambs seem to enjoy it, for they are so playing.

May 1879

Sun 18th. Miss Evans, Dick & Arthur have gone to church this evening. Jack & Arthur are not going to Buenos Aires till the 5th August. It was 3 years last Friday since Papa died; oh how I long to be a better child & go to heaven when I die, but I do not seem to make any progress. Perhaps it is that I do not try sufficiently. I have been reading Revelations III this evening, how I wish that I enjoyed reading the Bible more than I do.

June 1879

Sun 1^st. I am reading such an interesting book that Miss Evans lent me, she was at Nantwich yesterday to see Mrs. Williams from Chester. The Dr. was here this afternoon to see Mamma. We have not heard anything of Aunt Sarah’s coming at Midsummer yet.

Sun 1st. Miss Evans & Poppy have gone to Audlem church. Miss Evans went to Nantwich yesterday. It is Whit‑Sunday, & it is Bank Holiday tomorrow. How well I remember last Whitsun Monday. Nature is lovely now, it makes me think of those happy days long gone by, ah! those days will never return, but I ought not to complain, for on the other hand what blessings God is continually sending me. Lord, in thy mercy make me a much better child than I am, make me like unto thee, if it is not too great a mercy to ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. Dr. Jay has been here today, he drove up this afternoon. We have made a rockery by the back door yesterday.

August 1879

Jack and Arthur Baker emigrated to Buenos Aires on 5 August 1879 to a friend of Mr. Ashe, who had a very large farm there.

November 1879

Sun 2^nd. Since I last wrote Jack and Arthur have gone to America. Mamma has been very poorly she is now staying with Uncle Fred, she has been gone nearly a fortnight. I have been to Adderley church with Miss Evans and Totty, it is the Thanksgiving.

Sun 2nd. I went to church this morning, it is Adderley Thanksgiving. Aunt Sarah and Poppy are gone to Audlem, Aunt Sarah is staying here. It has been such a splendid day, there was quite a sharp frost this morning. Mamma has gone to Uncle Fred’s at Bognor. Jack and Arthur have gone to Buenos Aires, they left home Aug. 5th & sailed the 6th. We have heard from them twice, once a few days after they went, and once again from Buenos Aires, which arrived here on Oct. 17th.

Mon 3^rd. Totty has heard from Mamma today she hopes she will return stronger. We have been out today and have had a pleasant time out. It is nearly four months since Jack and Arthur left home, it all the time seems to fly so fast. I shall hope to see them soon. I mean in 3 or 4 years what a time to know that you cannot see them.

Mon 3rd. I have been out a little, it was dull but tolerably warm. I have heard from Mamma, I wrote last Wednesday evening. Miss Evans is practicing some songs. We have gone back to the schoolroom to have our lessons nearly all this half year. I like it much better than having them in the dining-room.

Tues 4^th. It is my birthday. I am seventeen years old. I must try to lift this year to more useful than the last. Mamma has sent me a very pretty card and a letter telling me she was better though her cough is dreadful one in the morning. Aunt Sarah is staying with us.

Tues 4th. It is Chatty’s birthday. Mamma has written to her, I sent her a birthday-card, she is seventeen. We have had a half holiday. We have finished reading The Old Curiosity Shop last night, it’s a very interesting book.

Wed 5^th. We have had such a pleasant walk this afternoon we always have half a holiday on Wednesday. Miss Evans has a very pretty song called “Break, Break”, but of all her songs I like “Wings” by far the best.

Wed 5th. We have had a very long walk this afternoon, we have a half holiday on a Wednesday now, and we generally go a walk. Mrs. & Miss Ashe have been here.

Thu 6^th. Been out today I have written to Mamma thanking her for the card she sent me. It is more than a fortnight since she went to Bognor

Thurs 6th. We have been out after lessons. Poppy has heard from Jack again today, they had not a situation then.

Totty Baker’s diary extract

Fri 7^th. Totty, Miss Evans and Dick went to Aunt Janes. Aunt Sarah and we three children are keeping house.

Feb 7th. It has been so warm. The doctor has been here. I have been out, we have planted some horse‑chestnuts in a pot today to see if they will grow.

Sat 8th. Poppy, Dick & Miss Evans have gone to Aunt Jane’s to tea, the Miss Mangnalls are going there. Dick has heard from Mamma. It has been a beautiful day.

Sun 9th. Been to Adderley Church this morning. Miss Evans has been to see Mrs. Young this afternoon. They have only gone to Audlem about three weeks. Emily’s eye has been very bad. It is better now but still very weak. She has not had lessons for many weeks. Uncle Beaumont has been here for the afternoon. Aunt Mary has a bad leg she can only walk a very little.

Mon 10th. The corn has been thrashed today. Polly has written to Jack and Arthur. She and Miss Evans took the letter to the post.

Mon 10th. I went to Audlem church yesterday evening. I have not been in an evening for a long while. They have been threshing the corn today, we watched them for a short time, it is the first time I have been so near a threshing machine, I think. Poppy has written to Jack again, & she & Miss Evans have taken the letter to the post. Dick has gone to Kinsale.

Tues 11th. Aunt Sarah been down to Audlem. Dick heard from Mamma she thinks of soon coming home. She is better. On her way back she is going to stay a few days with cousin Lizzie.

Tues 11th. Aunt Jane came here this morning, & Aunt Sarah went back with her, but I think she has come back again now. We have not been out as it has been too cold.

Wed 12th. Not been out today the wind rather cold. Aunt Sarah and Polly were going to Drayton, turned out got too fine day.

Wed 12th. Emily and I have been out this afternoon gathering some berries and leaves, it was very windy, we have got some straw for Dick’s bed.

Thurs 13th. Have been a nice walk Dr. Jay has returned from London. Aunt Sarah has heard from Mamma she is soon coming home. We shall be glad to hear from Jack and Arthur.

Fri 14th. Heard from Jack and Arthur they have work at last it will be a relief to Mamma to know they are settled. Mrs. Evans and Polly went to church yesterday and stayed to dinner at Aunt Jayes, Uncle Joe went to Shavington.

Fri 14th. I forgot to write in my diary last night, till we were just going in to supper. It has been so beautiful yesterday & today, it has been frosty. Poppy & Aunt Sarah went to Drayton yesterday.

Sat 15th. Polly has been to Audlem. I have not been out, it was too damp. Emily’s eye is better but still very weak. She is going to have a shade made instead of a handkerchief.

Sat 15th. We have been a walk round by Buerton. It has been a splendid day, quite a sharp frost. Aunt Sarah had heard from Mamma again. Dick has been to Nantwich.

Mon 17th. I did not write last night. Aunt Jane was here yesterday & Poppy went with her down tonight & came back this morning. Uncle Joe had heard from Jack & Arthur, has written a letter to Mamma. They have an appointment & have to tend sheep. They are about 80 miles from Buenos Aires. They get up at 5 o’clock in the morning.

Tues 18th. Poppy has been to Audlem & she & Aunt Sarah called at Kinsale. We have been out today. Dick has a boil on his neck & has not been to the office yesterday or today.

Sun 23th. Mamma is coming home this week, we shall all be very glad to see her again. It is five weeks on Tuesday since she went. No one except Dick has been to church. The snow has come. Sydney Smith has been here this afternoon. Miss Evans and I spent a very quiet and pleasant afternoon alone last Thursday all of the others were out. Hetty and Emily had been to tea at Jessy Wood crofts. We are without a servant now Jane was not well and had to go home and I hope we shall soon get another.

Sun 23rd. I have not written for several days. Mamma is in London now. There was a fall of snow yesterday but it has gone away now. I think Dick has been to church. Mr. Sydney was here to tea.

Tottie Baker wrote to Arthur in South America on 25 November 1879

We were very pleased to hear you have something to do, what a jolly sort of a journey you must have had with those half wild horses. Iris is very fat, as fond of Lily as ever, we have fine fun with her sometimes. Yesterday Emily got the piano duster & said she was going to dust Mug’s ears out. Then she held her up on the sofa & said she was a pattern of clean lines, which I don’t think she was just then. We shall have to wash her again with soft soap. We keep a nail brush and a comb in the cupboard for her. Emily says she wears a green shade over it now. We have had a fall of snow already here but it has gone away now. I have not tried my skates again yet, I hope I shall make a better attempt this time than I did last winter. I was so afraid of falling. One of the calves got his leg fast in a hurdle the other day, but he got it out himself & I do not think he was hurt much, only just lamed himself for a short time. Old Parker was here last Sunday & was looking as sharp as ever. A few Sundays ago, Uncle Beaumont, Casey and Rebel came here. Casey said Rebel was worth fifty Irises but Chatty said she was not. Mamma has been staying at Bognor with Uncle Fred, but now she is at Cousin Lizzie’s. Uncle Joe went to London yesterday & Mamma is coming back with him. The Hounds have been again, we have seen the Hounds twice. The first time we saw them Laddie & Iris did so barked at them & there was one dog behind the rest & it was so absurd to see these two following him. Emily’s doves keep very well, we have them in the house again now & we feed them with wheat now it has been threshed, we watched the men threshing the wheat for a little while.

Mr. Fallon is leaving Audlem in February. Mr. Atkinson has another curate coming then. Cousin Jim has been shooting several times, but I don’t think he has killed very much. Mr. Pigott of Heywood is a teacher & he is gone to Manchester selling milk. We got the hay in all right. Dick helped to carry it. Edward has bought another cow so they are feeding Rachael ready to sell. Miss Craven wishes to be kindly remembered to you. She is busy helping Poppy, so we are having a holiday. Dick has had a boil on his neck, so he stayed away from the Chapel nearly all last week. Mamma is at home again now, she came last night & she is writing to you now. Do you get all our letters, we have written four times, at least some of us have. Poppy wrote in the last mail & is going to write again for the one that leaves on the 4th of December, the mail we are writing for goes next Sunday I think. It is your 20th birthday next Tuesday & Miss Evans & we three children wish you very many happy returns of the day. We are sorry we cannot give you a neck tie this year. I should so like to ruffle your hair for you. Mamma has bought Emily a dolls cradle & she is now sitting on the window seat rocking it. We washed twopence last Wednesday afternoon. Mamma has a relaxed throat, she saw a doctor whilst she was in London & he asked her if she could gargle her throat & when she told him she could not very well he said she had better have an inhaler, we have been watching her use it this morning. I can’t tell you exactly what it is like, she puts some water in a little glass thing & then sets something (almost like a lamp) alight under it, this boils the water; then she has a bottle with some solution of alum in it & the steam goes into her mouth, it is so funny to watch her.

Thur 27th. Mamma is coming home tonight we shall all be glad to see her. I am sending a letter to Jack tomorrow. I hope we shall hear from them soon again. Not written since Sunday.

Thurs 27th. I have not written for several days. Mamma is coming home tonight. It is a week today since we went to have tea with Peggy Woodcock. We have been out & others.

Sun 30th. Been to church. Left my music home and Dick has gone this evening. Mamma brought me a very pretty book. It is the first Sunday in Advent. I am sorry Christmas will be here again so early it seems a very short time since last when Jack and Arthur were here.

Sun 30^th. It is the first Sunday in Advent. Dick, Poppy & I went to church this morning. We have written to the boys again, the letter was posted last Friday & I think the mail goes on today. Mamma is at home again.

December 1879

Tues 1st. Mamma still very poorly. Dr Jay has been to see her today. It was Arthur’s birthday on Dec 2nd. I wonder how he spent it.

Tues 18th. I have not written for several days. Uncle Beaumont & Aunt Mary came last Sat, went away again yesterday. Aunt Sarah is coming home again next Sat. Cousin Mary has cut her knee with the ice. Miss Mac Cape has fallen & broken her arm. I have not tried to skate this time yet.

1880

January 1880

Sun 18th. Mamma is still very poorly she keeps to her room now and has not been out of bed much for the last week. It was a fortnight on Saturday since Miss Evans went on her holidays. I hope she will be home in three weeks. Dick has gone to church. This evening I am fast in the house with an other cough. I hope I shall soon be rid of it again. Mr. Fallon was here yesterday, he said Mr. Atkinson is ill with erysipelas, but he is not very ill with it.

Sun 18th. Another Christmas has passed away & the New Year has begun, it seems strange for Jack & Attie to be away, we have heard from them again, they are not getting on very well. Miss Evans is away for her holidays. Mamma is still sick but she gets up a little nearly every day. Last year has gone so quickly it does not seem very many weeks since our last Christmas holidays. I wonder how the poor boys have spent Christmas, how I should like to see them! Mrs. Jones & Miss Craven were here last Wednesday. Mr. Fallon was here yesterday.

Mon 19^th. Aunt Jane & Aunt Charlotte have been here. Jane has been to see her little brother. Dr. Jay says Mamma is better a little. Aunt Charlotte & family went a walk. It has been a very beautiful day & I think it is freezing now. Mr. Atkinson is very ill with erysipelas. I think they have him painted with iodine.

Mon 19th. Mamma is better again today. I hope she will keep improving. Poppy has a bad cold but she is not so troubled with it now. She has heard from Jack. He writes better news this time, but he has not received any of the papers that have been sent. We have not heard from Miss Evans again yet.

Fri 23^rd. Miss Ashe has been here. I brought Mamma some fish. I have begun writing to Jack. I began the letter yesterday. Aunt Sarah went to Aunt Janey yesterday & has returned today.

Sun 25^th. I have been finishing my letter to Jack this evening. Miss Evans is coming home tomorrow. Sidney has been to tea. I have not been to church today.

February 1880

Tues 1st. Miss Evans came home last Monday. Mamma is better again but Aunt Sarah is poorly in bed but I hope she will soon be all right again.

Sun 1^st. Emily & I have been to church with Dick this morning. Mamma is getting better. Aunt Sarah is ill now with a bilious attack. She was to have gone to Lichfield last Saturday (yesterday) but could not. Miss Evans has come back again, but we have not begun lessons again yet. It has been such a lovely day more like spring; there are some primrose buds in our garden already but I do not know whether they will come out or not. Mamma has been down for the first time since her illness today. Jack Parker has been here this afternoon. Last Thursday Cousin Jim & Mr. Turnbull were shooting here but they did not kill anything. Cousin Arthur was ill with measles then but I do not know how he is now.

Sun 8^th. Dick had been to church this evening but I have not been today. Aunt Sarah is still in bed. Mamma has not been up at all today. We were out of doors this morning. Miss Evans, Emily & I went to church.

Thurs 24th. We heard from Jack yesterday they say that they have not had anything to do for the last fortnight & that unless they could get anything to do before the 26th of last January (they wrote on the 20th of January) that they should return home in the Cotapaxi, which I think sailed from Buenos Aires on the 26th of January & if they did not come by her they said they would write & tell us so that we should know whether they had started with her or not, so that perhaps they may come any day now, how I should like to see them both. Dick was to look in the newspapers today, to see if he could hear/find out anything about the Cotapaxi, but he has not returned yet. Miss Evans has been helping Poppy with the ironing today. Aunt Sarah has been up today. Mamma has been in bed all day again.

Jack and Arthur Baker returned home in February 1880.

The Pacific Steam Navigation Company (PSNC) steamship Cotopaxi was a prominent ocean liner and cargo ship based out of Liverpool. From 1877 to 1879, the Pacific Steam Navigation Company operated a highly active transatlantic route connecting Liverpool to Bordeaux and Buenos Aires. The Cotopaxi was a mainstay on this line, shuffling European cargo, mail, and immigrants to South America, and returning to Liverpool with agricultural goods. On 15 May 1889, while navigating the treacherous Straits of Magellan on a voyage from Liverpool to Valparaiso, the Cotopaxi collided with the German steamer Olympia. Though she was temporarily refloated, she struck a reef and sank. Fortunately, a passing German vessel saved all passengers and crew on board.

Wed 25th. Mr. Field sent word today that the Cotopaxi will be at Liverpool at midnight tonight, so that if Jack and Attie are still coming by her they will likely be here before tomorrow. Mr. Field has been here today. Dr. Jay as well. Mr. Fallon is going tomorrow. Mamma has the shingles now, she has had them twice before, she is very great pain, it is such a pity, her cough & throat are so much better. I think the ship was at sea on the Bay of Biscay either Sunday & Monday, or yesterday.

March 1880

Thurs 4th. Last Sunday Mamma was very ill indeed but she rallied a little before night, during Monday she was better but last night she was much worse again, it was shock yesterday since she began with the sharp pain feeling. Jack and Arthur came home from South America a week tonight we were very glad to see them again. They are changed very little indeed during the seven months they were away. Dr. Jay is coming to see Mamma again tonight, he does not always come twice a day but Miss Evans and Poppy have sat up nearly all the night with her poor neck.

Thurs 4th. Jack & Attie have come home again. They came last Thursday. Iris knew Attie again & was very pleased to see him. I am very glad they are at home again, it seems more like it used to be; it does not seem many weeks since they went. Mamma is still in bed, the shingles are dying away but she is still very very weak. Jack has gone to Audlem. The last few days have been very windy but today it has been calm. The night before last was very windy, at Aunt Mary’s they got up & lighted the candles, they thought the house was coming down. Emily & I have been out today & have had some fine fun with Attie amongst the straw. Mrs Ashe & Miss Tate have been here. Mrs Smith sent to know how Mamma is both Tuesday & today.

Fri 5th. Mamma is about the same today. Dr. Jay has only been once. I hope he will not have any reason to come twice again. I have written to Aunt Sarah today to tell her about Mamma. Aunt Charlotte has been with us since Thursday afternoon.

Fri 5^th. Jack has gone to Bristol, Emily & I have been out with Attie nearly all day & have had some fun with Chris. Miss Smith & Miss MacKenzie are still in Switzerland, I think. We have some snowdrops & primroses in our garden.

Sat 6^th. Mr Ashe, Miss Kate & Mrs Ashe have been here today. Emily & I have been outdoors with Attie & Dick. The Dr. said today that Mamma is better, she is still in bed.

Sun 7^th. I did not write last night. I am sorry to say Mamma is not so well to-night. Aunt Charlotte left us yesterday. I have put some flowers in Mrs Evans room. I like doing things for her, she always seems pleased, however little the things you do for her.

Sun 7^th. Emily & I went to church this morning with Jack, Dick & Arthur. The new curate Mr Foster preached this morning, he has only been here two Sundays. We have been out nearly all afternoon. It has been a beautiful day, especially this afternoon. Mamma was a little better this morning, but now this evening she is not feeling so well.

Mon 8^th. Mamma has sent for Dr. Jay to-night. I hope he will be here before long. Totty and Emily are going to tea tomorrow to Mrs. Mangnall’s. I am going with them, but I cannot stay long as I am not able to be out of doors late at night.

Mon 8^th. It has been a lovely day, we have been out nearly all day. We went to Mrs. Beamam’s this morning. Mrs. Mangnall has asked us to go there tomorrow to tea. Dr. Jay is here now, he was here this morning as well, but Mamma did not feel so well again this afternoon & so she sent Emma for him. Jack went to meet Mr. James Greaves at Swanbach this morning, we went with him a little of the way, we had started before him.

Wed 10^th. I did not write last night. We went to Mrs. Mangnall’s yesterday, Emily & I, Dick stayed indoors in the evening. Chatty and I have been down to Audlem today to see how Aunt Sarah is, she says she is better. Chatty went on to Saintree to call for our umbrellas which we left there yesterday. Jack has been hunting on Gip, the hounds met at Norton. They came here. Emily & I have been out nearly all morning. Mamma keeps about the same, she was very ill again last night.

Thurs 11^th. Mrs. Ashe & Miss Kate have been here today. Jack has gone to Audlem to the post. Chatty, Emily & I went to Kinsey Heath this morning. Mamma is about the same. Mrs. Ashe brought Mamma some champagne today, & some biscuits & some oranges. We have been out.

Fri. 12th. We have not been out today, it has been very cold. Mamma’s cough had returned as badly as ever, she was coughing nearly all last night. Aunt Charlotte has been here this afternoon. Aunt Jane did not come, she has something the matter with her toes, she was not out yesterday I think. Dr. Jay said he would write to Dr. Aldridge today about Mamma, we had been twice about her before.

Sat 13^th. Totty, Emily and myself have been to Audlem. This afternoon it has been a beautiful day. Mamma has not been so well. Today her cough does trouble her again, it quite exhausts her to cough at all. Mrs Ashe has been to see her, with Aunt Sarah, but they did not stay very long.

Sat. 13th. Chatty, Emily & I have been down to Audlem. It had been a splendid day. Mamma was a little better this morning, but just now she was not feeling so well. Mrs. Wellington’s baby is at Mrs. Brittain’s now, she came last Wednesday.

Sun 14^th. I have been out of doors a greater part of the day. Totty and Emily been to church this morning. It is Miss Evans’s birthday tomorrow. Mamma still keeps about the same, she does not get any stronger. Totty and Emily have been to church this morning.

Sun. 14th. Dick & Attie have gone to church. Emily & I went there this morning.

Thu 18^th. Chatty, Emily & I have been to tea to Jane’s this afternoon, we went to church this morning. Jack went to the frost this afternoon.

Sun 21^st. Aunt Emily & I went to church this morning. It has been a lovely day, we were out this afternoon. I drank tea as well nearly for the first time this spring.

Sun 28^th. Totty gone to church this morning. I am going to be confirmed on April 29th.

Mon 29th. Dick & Attie have gone to a concert at Audlem, I think, or else to a meeting about the election. Mamma had been a little better until tonight.

Tues 30^th. Mamma is not so well. Today she has been very sick and it makes her feel so much weaker.

Tues 30th. Dick & Jack have gone to the Misses Mangnalls to tea. It had been a beautiful day. We went to Audlem this morning. Mamma has not been quite well since last night.

Thurs 31st. We have not been out today, it has been raining nearly all day. Mr. Atkinson has been here.

April 1880

Fri 2nd. I did not write last night. Emily & I have been out for a little while. We went to Audlem yesterday. There was a concert last night, also on Monday night.

Sat 3rd. We have been to Audlem this morning, & to Kynsal Heath this afternoon. Jack has gone to Kynsal. Dick has been to Nantwich. There is a general election going on now.

The general election in 1880 was not a single-day event but spanned from 31 March to 27 April 1880. On 3 April 1880, polling was actively underway across various territorial constituencies. This historic election resulted in a landslide victory for Gladstone’s Liberal opposition, which unseated the incumbent Conservative government of Benjamin Disraeli. The election is famous for the Midlothian campaign, a series of highly charged foreign policy speeches delivered by William Gladstone. Orchestrated as a massive media event, it is widely considered the first modern political campaign in British history. Gladstone fiercely attacked the foreign policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli's government as utterly immoral. He leveraged British military setbacks in Afghanistan and South Africa, as well as Disraeli's handling of Ottoman atrocities in the Balkans, to swing public opinion. Although the Liberal Party was officially led by the Marquess of Hartington during the election, Gladstone's immense popularity meant the official leadership stood aside. At age 71, Gladstone returned to form the Second Gladstone Ministry as Prime Minister, despite the deep personal reluctance of Queen Victoria.

Sun 4^th. Mamma still keeps about the same. She does not seem any better at all. It seems a very long time since Miss Evans has been out for a walk with us children, she has been so busy looking after Mamma since she came home from her holidays.

Sun 4th. I have not been to church it has been too showery, it has been a regular April day, it is so lovely now the sun is just setting.Mamma has not been so well yesterday & today.

Mon 5th. The yard has been burnt today, it is 7 or 8 years since it was burnt before, it did not blaze very much, it was rather wet. There has been a meeting of the Conservatives at Audlem today, & Jack has gone to Wrenbury.

Sun 18^th. Mamma still keeps very ill. She does not get any better. Aunt Hannah is coming to see her very soon, but she is not coming to stay here, but at Aunt Jane’s house. Joe has been here this afternoon, he saw Mamma for a few minutes, at least, and makes her cough to talk much at a time. Miss Evans’ watch came on Friday, it is a very pretty one. I hope it will go well, or else she will be disappointed in it. Jack and Arthur are still without anything settled to do yet. I wish they could. I think it is troubling Mamma and keeping her from getting well. Dr. Jay is going to leave Audlem, we are very sorry he is going now, but we know who is coming next. He is an Irishman, and his name is Dr. Newman, he seems a pleasant man.

Wed 21^st. Mamma is very ill today. I do not think that the doctors think she will get better. Aunt Hannah is at Audlem, she has seen her very much changed. Mr Atkinson has this evening to see Mamma, I hope that she asked him to come tomorrow. Mr. Corbett has been about letting their house, I am sure it would be a great weight off Mamma’s mind if it could be either let or sold. Nothing of any importance has happened.

Wed 21st. I have not written for some days. Mamma is very unwell, Mr. Stokes has been to see her this evening. Mr. Corbet has been here today, he knows someone who is likely to take the house. Jack has gone to see Joe about it. Aunt Hannah & Uncle Henry are staying at Aunt Jane’s. They have come to Audlem to see Mamma, they were here yesterday & saw her & Uncle H. has been again today. They came on to Audlem & Uncle Henry and Uncle Joe came here that evening.

May 1880

Sun 2^nd. Last Thursday I was confirmed by Bishop Kellie. He gave us such a beautiful address before he confirmed us. Miss Evans went with me, and I hope she will be able to come with me to church on Whit Sunday when I shall receive the Sacrament for the first time.

The children’s mother, Henrietta Louisa (nee Bellyse) Baker, died in May 1880, after a long illness, leaving the children with the loss of both their parents, and still struggling with the aftermath of the Agricultural Depression. Jack was 30, Dick was 24, Arthur was 20, Chatty was 18, Tottie was 14 and Emily was 12.

September 1880

Sun 12^th. Since I last wrote a great deal has happened. Dear Mamma has been taken from us. I feel her loss more each day. We have been to the seaside with Mr. and Mrs. Ashe. It was very pleasant.

Sun 12^th. I have not written for a long time, several things have transpired since I last wrote. Mother, after a time of great suffering, passed peacefully away, and I trust is at rest for ever in the Heavenly Jerusalem. She died May 8th. O Father, grant that we may all meet together again in that Better Land where it pleaseth Thy good Will & make us all content with our lot here on earth. Lord Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. Poppie & Miss Evans & we three went with Mr. & Mrs. Ashes & Miss Kate to Pennanmaur, it was very kind of them to take us, we had a very pleasant month there. I went to Adderley church this morning with Poppie, Elsie & Emily.

Mon 13^th. Dick went to London last Tuesday for his examination, we have heard from him three times. It has been a lovely day, we went for a walk after lessons this morning.

Thurs 16^th. It has been so wet the last few days we went out after lessons this morning. I have had a letter from Aunt Hannah.

Sun 19^th. Poppy and Miss Evans have gone to Audlem church. They have not been in the evening for a long time. Gran is going to see her sister next Saturday to stay till Tuesday. We are going on the same with our lessons. My old trouble does not get any better, not that I have any idea of giving up. I think this year has been a gloomy one so far. Dear Mamma was ill up in her room from November to May when she died. I do not seem able to think of her in any other way than when I saw her the last morning when I think of her. I seem to see her dear face so distinctly. Perhaps it was with me being with her whilst she was ill. It is the Harvest Thanksgiving at Audlem on Thursday and at Adderley on Sunday. Dick has gone to London for his last examination. He will be away nearly two months I think.

Sun 19^th. I went to Adderley Church this morning. Miss Evans have gone to Audlem Church this evening & Arthur has stayed in. Poppie & Miss Evans went to a party at Mr. Jones last evening.

Wed 23^rd. It has been raining nearly all the time since about 12 o’clock. I think have not been out except just to feed the doves. I have commenced to knit a pair of cuffs today with some wool Miss Evans has given me, and now Miss Evans is crocheting Emily’s for her.

Tues 29th. Miss Evans has gone to stay with her sister for about a week. She went last Saturday. Poppie heard from Dick yesterday. We have been to Hankelow today & Mr. & Miss Ashe and Miss Kate are in Germany, they are such kind people.

October 1880

Sun 3^rd. Fran did not come home till yesterday. She and Poppy are going tomorrow to Mrs. Wadsworth’s to tea.

Sun 3rd. I went to church this morning Mr. Ashe has returned from Germany. I had a letter from Dick yesterday. Miss has been away for about a week she came back last Saturday (yesterday).

Wed 6th. Poppie, Miss Evans & Jack went to Saintree House last Monday & as it was wet, they stayed all night there. Dr. Jay has been here today. I think he drove to Audlem yesterday.

Wed 13th. We have been for a walk. We are going to Hankelow tomorrow if it be fine. I hope it will. Cousin Harry has sent us some poetry for our scrap-books.

Fri 15^th. All of us were at Hankelow yesterday. It was such a pleasant day. I have been feeling very unhappy lately. Things have not been going on very brightly. I am so dull and my lessons don’t please Gran so often. I seem to make her angry with me much oftener than I used to do. I wish I did not for when she is not pleased with me, there is no one I care to ask anything or I could have a pleasant talk with. Dr. Jay has been over to Audlem again, he has cut his beard, and it does not suit him at all. I hope he will let it grow again he looks so much better with it.

Fri 15th. We went to Hankelow Hall yesterday, we had a very pleasant day. Miss Smith I think is going to Switzerland this winter again, with Miss MacKenzie. Poppie has been down to Audlem this afternoon. Charlie heard from Dick yesterday.

The last page of Chatty Baker’s diary

Avant le repas. Before the Meal.

Bénissez‑nous Seigneur, et bénissez en même temps les aliments que votre libéralité nous accorde, par Jésus Christ notre Seigneur. Ainsi soit‑il.

Bless us, O Lord, and bless the food that Your generosity grants us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Après le repas. After the Meal.

Nous vous rendons grâce de tous vos bienfaits Dieu tout‑puissant qui vivez et régnez dans les siècles des siècles. Ainsi soit‑il.

We give You thanks for all Your benefits, Almighty God, who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Rules.

Try and live as you would wish to do when you come to die.

Never do anything you would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of your life.

Never utter anything that is sportive, or matter of laughter on a Lord’s day.

Never do anything but what you may ask God’s blessing on.

Always speak the truth.

Totty. 1879.

Books Read by Chatty Baker

The Lamplighter “The Hidden Power”. The Lamplighter is a sentimental coming‑of‑age novel (1854) by Maria Susanna Cummins, and one of the great commercial successes of mid‑19th‑century American fiction. It follows Gertrude “Gerty” Flint, an abused orphan in Boston who is rescued and raised by a kindly lamplighter, Trueman Flint, and gradually transformed into a morally upright young woman through compassion, education, and chosen family bonds.

The Story of Elise. Thornborg Cotta Family. The Pillars of Fire, or Israel in Bondage. The Martyrs of Carthage. The Lord of the Isles. Description of the caves of Fingal and Asbestos. A Lecture by the Dean of Carlisle on Hugh Miller’s Testimony of the Rocks. Life of Sir Walter Scott. The Schonberg Cotta Family. The Chronicles of the Schönberg‑Cotta Family by Elizabeth Rundle Charles. The Bundle of Sticks. Magnet Stories. The Story of Elise. Gertrude and Eulalie. The Children of the Lord’s Supper. Mokeley. The Lord of the Isles. The Pillar of Fire. A Lecture by the Dean of Carlisle.

Totty Baker’s diary continued

October 1880

Mon 18th. We have been to Nantwich today to buy a jacket for myself & Poppie & Aunt Charlotte had been with us, it has been a very nice day. Mr. Ashe is giving a concert at Audlem this evening & Jack has gone to it. Dr. Pogge is dead, he died last Friday, he has been a very great sufferer. Poppie heard from Dick the other day, he is very well.

Wed 20th. We have been down to Audlem this afternoon, it was very cold. Poppie has heard from Dick again.

Thurs 28th. I wrote to Dick yesterday. Emily’s foot is bad again! Jack has gone to Audlem. It rained a great deal yesterday & the day before, & it has been raining tonight. Aunt Jane & Uncle Joe have been to Llandudno for about a week.

November 1880

Mon 1st. Miss Evans has gone to the Fire Brigade concert at Nantwich, she is coming back tomorrow. Charlotte went down to Audlem with her. Dick is coming home next Thursday week, I think I shall be very pleased to see him again, he will have been away about two months. Jack has been hunting. I did not go to church yesterday, I have a cold. Emily’s got is a little better. Dr. Newman has been here.

Mon 8th. Dick is coming home next Thursday. Poppie has gone to call at the Villa with Aunt Jane, she has not come back yet. Emily’s foot is much better, she has begun to walk a little today.

Thurs 11th. Dick came home last Thursday, he brought Emily & Jane up with, & Charlotte made a book back. The Misses Greaves have been here today and brought Emily some books to be read to her. I finished a letter to Aunt Hannah yesterday. Emily’s other foot has commenced to be bad now. One of the doves is dead. Emily’s old Bantam is dead.

December 1880

Sat 4th. Arthur was twenty-one last Thursday. Miss Lizzie Wilkinson’s sister died last Sunday week. Miss Lizzie was staying at Hankelow but she went home. Dick has passed his examination. Emily & I have a cough, but mine is better.

Tues 14th. My cough is better. I think Emily’s is too. Chattie has begun with one. There was a missionary meeting at Audlem last night. Popple & Emily are going to Hankelow soon, I think.

Jan 17th. It has been snowing today. Popple & Emily are staying at Hankelow. Misses Evans & Emma are both going away on Friday.

1881

March 1881

Chatty Baker died in March 1881, aged only 19.

The Census of 1881 recorded the family, still at Highfields. John Bellyse Baker was head of the family now, single, aged 30, a gentleman. His older sister Henrietta Baker, also single, aged 32, was recorded as no occupation. Richard Dod Baker, also single, aged 24, was a solicitor’s general clerk. Arthur Baker, single, aged 21, had no occupation. Charlotte L Baker, was 14, a scholar; Emily Jane Baker, was 12, a scholar. Mary Dobson was a visitor, aged 33 and there was a servant, Martha A Egerton, aged 19.

May 1881

Chattie has gone, she died in March. I do miss her so much. Sometimes it seems so strange that I shall never speak to her again on earth, but I trust we shall be with her in heaven. It was a year last Tuesday since Mother died and how little I thought that before another year had fled, another one would be taken, but it is God’s will, and it is all for our good in the end. I hope I shall see one day, & may God keep us all prepared for death for it may come any time. We are going to Hankelow tomorrow if it be fine. I was at church this morning.

Sun 18^th. Jane is paying with us. She & gone to church with Arthur & Dick. Arthur has come over for the weekend, he has a situation in a warehouse in Manchester.

Sun – Our holidays have begun & Miss Evans has gone away. How little we thought last summer, perhaps not one of us would be taken away before another year. O Father make us all ready.

The last page of Totty Baker’s diary, the pressed flowers still coloured in 2026